Episode Overview

Podcast: Hillsdale College Podcast Network Superfeed
Episode: Troy Weatherhead, ’11: Outstanding in His Field
Host(s): Doug Goodnow & Callie McGinnis
Guest: Troy Weatherhead (’11), Hillsdale Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, Senior Director of Global Marketing, Stryker Sage
Date: November 20, 2025

This episode spotlights Troy Weatherhead, former Hillsdale College All-American quarterback and GLIAC Player of the Year, who was recently inducted into the College’s Athletic Hall of Fame. The conversation explores Troy’s football journey, his transition into a successful medical sales and marketing career, the influence of Hillsdale on his work ethic and leadership, and the role of faith and community in his life and achievements.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Troy’s Role at Stryker Sage

• Transition and New Responsibilities (01:21-01:58)
  • Troy and his family moved from Michigan to Crystal Lake, IL, for his leadership role with Stryker Sage. As Senior Director of Global Marketing, he sets the strategic vision for the sales force, ensuring products reach caregivers worldwide at the right time and allow them to best serve patients.
  • Quote: “It’s all about making sure products are in the caregivers’ hands exactly when they need them—so they can best serve their patient population.” —Troy Weatherhead (01:41)

Translating Football Skills to Professional Success

• Work Ethic Developed at Hillsdale (02:08-03:09)
  • Balancing rigorous academics and athletics taught Troy invaluable prioritization and resilience—making his professional life feel, at times, easier than his college years.
  • Quote: “I actually felt like after I left Hillsdale and I stepped into the professional world, I was like, gosh, this is almost a little bit easier than what I've been doing on campus.” —Troy Weatherhead (02:37)
  • The importance of “hard work is undefeated”—talent is baseline, but effort distinguishes success both at Hillsdale and at Stryker.

Global Marketing in Healthcare

• Scope and Challenges (04:08-07:07)
  • Stryker operates in 89 countries, and Troy travels internationally to align marketing efforts with regional regulations and customer needs.
  • Regulatory differences (e.g., FDA, Health Canada, EU MDR) require strategic choices about which products to register and market globally.
  • Quote: “Sometimes you gotta be where your feet are and sometimes your feet gotta be overseas.” —Troy Weatherhead (04:48)
  • Not every product is in every market; decisions balance patient need, profitability, and compliance.

Hillsdale Connections at Stryker

• Alumni Network (06:18-06:52)
  • Hillsdale alumni have a strong presence at Stryker, influenced significantly by John Lauria’s mentorship and example.

Troy’s Hillsdale Football Career

• Team Achievements and Camaraderie (08:02-09:36)

  • Troy credits the team’s close-knit nature and collective accountability for their success, more so than personal records or statistics.
  • Quote: “It’s never about the stats... it’s always the guys I got to play with. They’re still some of my best friends today.” —Troy Weatherhead (08:32)

• Playing for Coach Otterbein (09:36-11:13)

  • Complex offense and high expectations fostered strong leadership lessons.
  • Quote: “He held every single player to an incredibly high standard…it was one of toughness, it was one of integrity, it was one of togetherness.” —Troy Weatherhead (10:32)

• Notable Records (11:13-11:49)

  • Troy was known for completion percentage and accuracy but stays humble, deflecting praise to teammates.

Football’s Ongoing Role in Life

• Giving Back and Family (11:49-13:01)
  • Troy remains involved through camps and coaching his young son, emphasizing football’s lifelong lessons.
  • Quote: “I still love the game of football. I think there’s so many life lessons that you learn…” —Troy Weatherhead (12:28)

Hillsdale Legacy: Leadership and Accountability

• Influential Deans (15:35-15:58)
  • Dean Peterson, like earlier Deans, was a positive, firm influence, holding students accountable while being a strong advocate.

Standout Moments & Accolades

• College Career High Point (16:13-17:56)

  • Leading Hillsdale to its first NCAA D-II playoff appearance in 2009, winning a game against Minnesota State, and starting a sustained run of success for Hillsdale football.
  • Quote: “We were at the senior banquet … Coach Otterbein came up and… screamed... ‘We’re going to the playoffs!’… pure elation.”—Troy Weatherhead (16:38)

• Conference Play and Rivalries (17:56-20:08)

  • GLIAC was extremely competitive; making the playoffs was a major accomplishment.
  • Adapting to the GMAC was viewed as the right move for the college but the GLIAC rivalries were meaningful for Troy as a Michigan native.

• How He Came to Hillsdale (20:37-21:26)

  • Weighed athletic opportunities against academic quality, ultimately choosing Hillsdale for its unique blend—“the best choice” of his life.

Professional Stints and Life Lessons

• NFL and Arena Football Attempts (21:26-22:38)
  • Briefly with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent; some time playing arena football, likened to “backyard football with pads.”
  • Quote: “You’ll only get one opportunity to do this, so go try.” —Advice given to Troy (21:35)

Hall of Fame Reflection and Gratitude

• Honoring Those Who Helped Him Succeed (22:59-24:43)
  • Emphasizes the collective nature of individual accolades, crediting teammates, coaches, friends, and parents.
  • Quote: “When I think about the honor of going into the Hillsdale College Hall of Fame, I really just think about so many of my teammates, my high school coaches, my high school friends…it's not about me, it's about we…” —Troy Weatherhead (23:38)

Faith and Family

• Guidance and Foundation (24:43-25:56)
  • Troy’s faith, inspired by his grandmothers and family, is central. His daughter's Catholic schooling continues that legacy.
  • Quote: “Football is what you do, but it’s not who you are. God made you in his image…your job is to honor that image and likeness.” —Grandma McNabb, quoted by Troy (25:21)

Notable Quotes & Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• On transitioning from college to career:
  “I actually felt like after I left Hillsdale…it was almost a little bit easier than what I’ve been doing on campus.” —Troy Weatherhead (02:37)

• On the value of hard work:
  “Hard work is undefeated, right? And talent is the baseline here. The harder that you're going to work, the more successful you're going to be.” —Troy Weatherhead (03:01)

• On global business challenges:
  “Every country just operates a little differently…sometimes we have to make really hard decisions…are we going to be profitable in these areas?” —Troy Weatherhead (07:07)

• On favorite football memories:
  “It’s never about the stats…It’s always the guys that I got to play with.” —Troy Weatherhead (08:32)

• On coach Otterbein’s influence:
  “He held every single player…to an incredibly high standard…on and off the field.” —Troy Weatherhead (10:32)

• On the Hall of Fame honor:
  “It’s not about me. It’s about we, and it’s about the tons of people who have helped me along the way.” —Troy Weatherhead (24:27)

• On faith and identity:
  “Football is what you do, but it’s not who you are. God made you in his image and likeness, and your job is to honor that image and likeness that God made you in.” —Troy Weatherhead quoting his grandma (25:21)

Segment Timestamps

• Role at Stryker/Growth of Career: 01:21–02:08
• Hillsdale’s Impact on Work Ethic: 02:08–03:09
• Global Marketing Insights: 04:08–07:07
• Stryker and Hillsdale Alumni Connection: 06:18–06:52
• Football Career Reflections: 08:02–13:03
• Dean Peterson and Campus Life: 15:35–15:58
• Biggest Football On-Field Moment: 16:28–17:56
• Conference Change Discussion: 17:56–20:08
• NFL and Arena Football Story: 21:26–22:38
• Hall of Fame Meaning: 22:59–24:43
• Family, Faith, and Personal Values: 24:43–25:56

Tone and Atmosphere

The conversation is authentic, humble, and nostalgic, with Troy repeatedly deflecting personal glory to acknowledge the roles of mentors, teammates, friends, and family. There is a recurring sense of gratitude for the community at Hillsdale and beyond, and a strong emphasis on work ethic, faith, and shared achievement as foundations of both his sports and professional life.